Katie713

My feelings run very close to what you've so eloquently posted. I have felt so blessed to have finally built a relationship with God thru Jesus Christ as my savior. This happened unexpectedly a few years ago, and my life has changed so dramatically. I did indeed pray earnestly for the opportunity to get healthy, the strength to stay committed, to treat my body with respect. Once I really asked for it, it happened very rapidly...and here I am 5 weeks post op and 60 pounds or so down working thru these changes in my lifestyle and my diet since the Fall of last year. I realize this is not a race, but a daily devotion to myself and my God as I walk this healthier path.

I'm stalled too...and my first week back at work. I feel good too, but hate not seeing that scale move. I keep wondering should I increase my calories, am I stalled because of being in starvation mode? Less carbs? If it doesn't move this week, I'm changing it up...but this is not a race, and I want to lose at my own pace, its hard when you read how much some people lose...and I seem to need a bit of carbs for my sanity!!!

At this stage of the game (4 weeks out) it is tough to get the veggies in. I am pretty sure there will be more room in my new tummy later. I did add a V8 Fusion to my liquids, it's one serving of veggies and one serving of fruit for 50 calories. I eat cottage cheese with canned pears/peaches or pineapple in juice quite often for breakfast. I had a bit of creamed spinach with some talapia...but it is difficult. I have every confidence we will master this over time!!

I am experiencing the same thing because I tend to be a night owl. When I get home from work I am hungry - but thinking of having a cup of soup to hold me over and then have dinner around 7:30, then if I really get hungry later just have a SF jello with light cool whip or a cup of diet hot chocolate. Wondering if having one of my protein shakes later in the evening might help. I have to work this out, I don't want to get off track!!

We got a whole list of meds not to take before surgery, but Tylenol was not on the list. Mostly its meds that affect blood clotting or your blood pressure that are not recommended. I would take the Tylenol.

Perhaps you need to have some blood work done - you could be deficient in iron or something else that is making you overly tired. As we age, our nutritional needs change. I would check it out, its worth a try!

I have another friend here on this website, Iliana82 who is also an RN working long hours. Perhaps you could send her a quick message for some strategies in dealing with the unique aspects of working the diet while keeping up with your hectic schedule at work.

It depends on the protein content of the powder. If your ready to drink protein shake has 20 grams of protein, using half of the container gives you 10 grams of protein. So if you are just using it for flavor more or less, measure the amount you are putting in the recipe and divide it into the total amount of the serving. I have a protein powder that has 23 grams in one scoop but I can mix it into whatever liquid I am using - if in a recipe - I still get the 23 grams. You would have to use the whole container to get high protein level. If your drink is 8 oz with 24 grams of protein, you get 3 grams for each oz.

Could be your gallbladder. You may need to have this checked out. Call your doctor and let them know. An ultrasound is generally used to confirm. If you have episodes of extreme pain that come and go, it's a high probability. I'm about a month out too, I had right hand pain near my ribcage, front...and the doctor said it was probably too much tension on the internal stitches in that area as they have to get thru the muscle to do the surgery and get the instruments in and pull the excess stomach out. I had to rest for 2 days and then I was good...this was 2 weeks out. No pain after that at all. Good luck.

Give it time. The worst of it is the first few days until that gas works itself out of your system. Until then, pain meds!

Are you taking a PPI like Prilosec? Most of us have to take this to prevent the excess stomach acid. It helps ALOT. I take 2 a day, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon.

Yeah, that's probably the feeling for YOU. I also get the slight tightness and hiccups, about 4 or 5 and I immediately stop eating. If you go too far you will definately feel uncomfortable. This just happened to me yesterday.

You're not ready yet. Move back to full liquids. Yogurt, puddings, creamy soups and your protein shakes and thinned out cereals. Try again in another week, but try the consistency of purees....fat free refried beans, cottage cheese with pureed fruit, soups. Everyone heals at a different rate.

The same thing happened to me yesterday for the first time. I ate one bite to much and had to run to the bathroom gagging. Nothing much came up, but I had the heaves and felt like crap for about 20 minutes until things started moving!!

Tracking your intake is paramount in making sure you are getting your fluids/protein. Check labels for protein intake and keep a journal of what you drink.

One easy meal is get a can of chicken (light& dark meat) and add it to a can of chicken gravy, served on mashed potatoes. Its so soft and tastes good, and you're getting protein from the chicken and the gravy is very low cal. I'm 4 weeks out and this is a staple and very tolerable.

As a Kaiser patient the surgeon and nutritionist had me on clears for 3 days only and then onto full liquids for the next 12 days, then transitioned to pureed/soft diet. Full liquids include thinned hot cereals, creamy soup, yogurt, sugar free puddings and regular protein shakes. This helps ALOT. Perhaps this might be an option for you...many of us use this time line with no ill effects. Good Luck!

Same with me 4 weeks out. Tried scrambled eggs with cheese (a pre-op fave) and felt miserable. I won't try again for awhile. Usually I just have hot cereal for breakfast, oatmeal or cream of wheat, I tolerate cottage cheese very well with soft canned fruit so that is also a great go to.

I've been dreaming of a Starbuck's coffee...I go back to work next week after a month off. I had my surgery 4/6. I think I'm going to treat myself to a tall skinny mocha! Thanks for all the info my VSG friends! With the pre-op diet and since surgery I'm down 63 pounds!

Sounds like a gallbladder stone attack to me. I had episodes like that years ago after losing weight and had to have my gallbladder removed. Just recently had VSG on 4/6 and my doctor said glad your gallbladder is already out since it is very common after WLS.

Nikki82...go to GNC or Vitamin Shoppe and get Isopure. Its clear liquid protein with 40 grams in 20 oz bottle..they have alot of flavors I liked grape frost. I even saw some at Rite Aid one time but they always have it at the other stores I mentioned. There are also clear protein powders in fruit flavors, Nectar has a good selection. Protein is imperative to healing. Good Luck!

I did Options last Fall and was so impressed with everything I learned and lost the 10% they recommend before sugery. I had surgery 4/6 at West LA and was so impressed with the surgeon Dr. Zelada and his team. I'm doing great! On soft foods now and tolerating most foods well, it is weird to be full with just 1/2 cup for a meal. Since the start of the program I'm down 63 pounds, very happy with the decision and the entire process with Kaiser.

A good body shaper helps alot, go try a few on, also the abdominal wraps that help you lose water from the middle...bed bath and beyond carries them for$15. The Biggest Loser website sells all kinds of shapers until you get to where you want to be and then when you reach goal if its just skin, consider the tummy tuck.

Yes, completely normal when not eating solids, this will change when you move to full liquids, then mushies, fiber helps. Beans and sweet potatoes are loaded with fiber and miralax and benefiber help.

If you have a problem, try again in a week. For some reason my tummy doesn't tolerate them well yet...I had surgery a little over 3 weeks ago. I am craving eggs, be happy when I can have them. Oatmeal today : )